Join us for our Spring Epic on the North Yuba. #12

Signups closed for this event

ATTENTION: please RSVP at the bottom of this post!

Ah yes, it’s mountain biking season in the Sierra again. So, come on up and celebrate spring by going go for a ride and perhaps preview the progress we have made on the brand new section of the North Yuba River Trail. Our Trail Crew and hard working volunteers are pushing hard, trying to punch through a 7 mile section connecting the river towns of Downieville and Goodyears Bar. This section is truly a testament to our dedication and commitment to the Downieville Trail System, as it has taken us nearly 13 years to complete and it's nearly there.

By utilizing grant funds from Sierra County, REI and Bikes Belong, along with our own SBTS general funds and several thousand volunteer labor hours, we hope to have the section open for the upcoming mountain bike tourism season. The trail is located below 3,800’ elevation and will be snow-free for much of the year, allowing Downieville to extend it’s recreation season by about 3 months; providing a needed economic boost to local merchants and innkeepers.

RSVP

Please RSVP(at the bottom of this page). Our Epics have become more popular each year and we need to know the numbers that are coming so that we can accommodate everyone. If you have kids, or spouses attending, please sign them up individually.

Schedule

FRIDAY
Group led bike ride by Zachi in Forest City. 1:00pm
Details:
Directions to Forest City from Nevada City

15 miles N from Nevada City on highway 49, turn right on Ridge Road at the signs for PIKE/Alleghany.
This turn off is 2 miles after crossing the middle fk Yuba River.
Then travel another 15 or so miles till you see the FOREST CITY sign, turn left and DESCEND to Forest City one mile below. Park at the bottom of main street.

Directions to Forest from Indian Valley,

Head South back toward Nevada City. Turn Left just past Camptonville on Ridge Rd. (same as above)

The planned ride starts up main street and turns left at the top of the pavement onto School Str. This ascends up past the Tin Can Cabin and the Yomana House a ½ mile till it hits the Sandusky Trail. We plan on riding counterclockwise turning right onto Sandusky, then up to Truckee Ditch Trail. TDT loops up over Yomana Mnt and then descends back to Sandusky on the backside of Ruby Bluffs. The trail will be marked with orange flagging and chalk. It is around a 20 mile ride, 3 ½ -5 hour ride, intermediate.

SATURDAY
8am - 9:30am Registration and breakfast
9:45-10am Rides and hikes depart from Indian Valley campground after orientation.
4 - ? - Barbecue, Beer, Raffle, Mayhem... Prize Drawing, with improvisational competition for the grand prize

SUNDAY
8am - 9:30am breakfast
9:30am Trail Work on North Yuba - Meet at Indian Valley Campground at 9:30am for breakfast, sack lunch and a short safety talk. We will be driving to the work site near Goodyears Bar.

Logistics

CAMPING
Friday and Saturday nights at Indian Valley Campground. SBTS will reserve spots based on RSVPs, so let us know you’re coming. We are asking for a $5 per night donation to help cover the campground costs.

FOOD
Meals Provided Saturday:
- breakfast bagels
- lunch station located near Goodyears Bar
- post ride snacks and refreshments, and another one of Wayno’s famous BBQs

Meals Provided Sunday:
- breakfast scramble
- sack lunch
- post work snacks and refreshments

* Bring additional snacks or food if you have special meal requirements. Vegetarian options will be available.

WHAT TO BRING
- your bike if you ride
- gloves, backpack, hat (for trail work)
- hydration packs
- camping gear (headlamp, sleeping bag, the usual)
- layers. It will get cold at night and be hot in the day
- special food that you like that we may not have
- towel, technu,
- musical instruments for possible impromptu fire jam
- anything else you want to share

WEATHER

DIRECTIONS
From Sacramento:
(2 hours) Interstate 80 east to Highway 49 north through Nevada City towards Downieville. Once you cross the bridge over the North Fork of the Yuba River, Indian Valley is approximately 1.5 mile. Campgrounds are on the river side, and Indian Valley Campground is after Carlton Flat and Fiddle Creek Camps.

From Reno:
(2 hours) Interstate 80 west towards Truckee. Highway 89 north through Sierraville to Highway 49. Turn left onto Highway 49 and follow it through Downieville. Indian Valley Campground is approximately 11 miles downstream from Downieville, and is immediately after Rocky Rest Campground on the river side.

The Rides

RIDE MAP

The “A” ride looks to be around 35 miles with over 6,000’ of climb, and includes upper Halls Ranch Trail. Upper Halls Ranch is a section of trail that I have not rolled through since the days of guiding rides with Coyote Adventure Company in the early 90’s. Its an old mining trail that was used to access Fiddle Creek and Little Fiddle Creek, both of which can be a challenge to cross during high runoff and a savior during the hot summer months. From Halls Ranch the route follows Highway 49 for 5 miles to Downieville, where snacks and cold beverages await before you head back downstream to the the North Yuba River Trail to Indian Valley.

The “B” ride does not include the upper Halls Ranch section, but will feature a couple of different options on the North Yuba River Trail.

YOUTH PROGRAM
With all of our events, we encourage Youth participation. It's fun for the whole family. We mentor our younger members on both good trail riding technique as well as how to build a good trails. We will have pros and expert riders working with the kids all weekend.

For more information on the Youth Program, contact Greg Carter at cartersboat@gmail.com

SPONSORS

MARIN BIKES has signed on as title sponsor for the May Epic with a generous donation of $1,000.00 cash and 1,000.00 in product for the raffle. In addition they will have bikes present for demo purposes as well. This is all part of their Gold level sponsorship of the Downieville Classic new comprehensive sponsorship program.

SPECIAL THANKS
Special thanks to the HUB for their adoption of part of the North Yuba Trail and to ABI Industries for adopting Halls Ranch and Fiddle Creek.

If you're interested in the Adopt-A-Trail program, contact Wayne Hoffman at waynohoffman@aol.com

Membership

You must be a current SBTS member to attend an Epic. You can renew online or renew at the event with cash or check. Minimum donation for an annual membership is $50/yr and includes access to two Epics per year along with a fancy pair of socks or shirt so you can REPRESENT.